Key Takeaway:
- Keyboard shortcuts for inserting single columns: To insert a single column in Excel, use the “Ctrl” and “Shift” keys in combination with the “+” key. Alternatively, right-click on a column header and select “Insert” from the drop-down menu.
- Keyboard shortcuts for inserting multiple columns: To insert multiple columns, select the desired number of columns, then use the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl” and “Shift” in combination with the “+” key. Alternatively, right-click on the selected columns’ header and select “Insert” from the drop-down menu.
- Keyboard shortcuts for deleting columns: To delete a single column, use the “Ctrl” key in combination with the “-” key. To delete multiple columns, select them, then use the “Ctrl” key in combination with the “-” key. Alternatively, right-click on the selected columns’ header and select “Delete” from the drop-down menu.
- Keyboard shortcuts for resizing columns: To resize a single column, select the column’s header and use the “Ctrl” key in combination with the “+” or “-” key. To resize multiple columns, select them, then use the “Ctrl” key in combination with the “+” or “-” key. Alternatively, drag a column’s border to resize it.
- Keyboard shortcuts for moving columns: To move a single column, select the column’s header and use the “Ctrl” key in combination with the “X” and “Insert” keys. To move multiple columns, select them, then use the “Ctrl” key in combination with the “X” and “Insert” keys. Alternatively, drag a column to a new location.
Are you struggling to quickly insert columns in Excel? You’re in luck – this guide covers the best keyboard shortcuts to use when working with columns in Excel! Unlock the power of excel and save time with easy shortcuts.
Keyboard Shortcuts for Inserting Single Columns
Time is money when it comes to Excel. Keyboard shortcuts are a great way to save time. In this article, I’m discussing the best keyboard shortcuts for adding single columns in Excel. These shortcuts make working easier and faster. We’ll look at how to use a keyboard shortcut to insert a column and also how to do it with just your mouse. So, these tips are useful for novices and pros alike!
Image credits: pixelatedworks.com by David Woodhock
Using Keyboard Shortcut to Add a Column
To add a column quickly, do the following:
- Select the cell to the right of where you want the new column to appear.
- Press “Ctrl” and “Shift” keys simultaneously.
- While holding both keys, press the “+” (plus) key.
Voila! You will see a new column in your spreadsheet. Using Keyboard Shortcut to Add a Column is quite useful when you need to add several columns quickly. It saves time by avoiding manual addition of columns through Excel’s menus or mouse.
Moreover, Keyboard Shortcuts are a great way to streamline your workflow and make regular tasks more effective. With these shortcuts, you can save precious time instead of navigating menus or searching in your spreadsheets.
Did you know that, as per a McKinsey & Company study, workers spend up to 28% of their workweek reading and responding to emails? Automating tasks with Keyboard Shortcuts like Adding a Column can help decrease this workload and improve overall productivity.
Now, let’s explore another method for adding columns in Excel – using your mouse!
Adding a Column with the Mouse
Right-click on the selected column header and pick “Insert” from the menu that appears. A small dialogue box will then pop up prompting you if you want to shift cells left or right. Click “Shift cells right” if you want to insert a new column to the left of the chosen header.
You can also use a keyboard shortcut, Ctrl and “+” as another way of adding a new column. Select the target cell by clicking it, hold down Ctrl and press “+“. This will add an empty cell at your selection point, and move all existing data over one cell to make room for the new info.
If you don’t wish to use keyboard shortcuts, you can use the Ribbon interface to add columns. Navigate to ‘Home’ on the Excel ribbon, and click on ‘Insert‘. Now you can choose between inserting cells, rows or columns straight from there.
If you prefer keyboard shortcuts to mouse when working in Excel, it might be worth learning some keyboard shortcuts. These can save you time and effort since you can finish tasks while keeping both hands on the keyboard.
Keyboard Shortcuts for Inserting Multiple Columns
Wanting to save time while using Excel? Keyboard shortcuts are the way to go! Let’s explore two main ones for adding multiple columns. The first is a shortcut that doesn’t require the mouse. The second involves the mouse, so it’s up to you which one you prefer! Both are efficient options for mouse-clickers and keyboard-shortcut warriors alike.
Image credits: pixelatedworks.com by Yuval Woodhock
Adding Multiple Columns with the Keyboard Shortcut
Want to save time and effort while adding multiple columns in Excel? Use these keyboard shortcuts!
- Press Ctrl + Shift + “+” to add multiple columns to the left of your current position.
- Press Ctrl + “+” to add multiple columns to the right of your current position.
- Select the desired number of columns before using the shortcut.
- Highlight the number of existing columns you want to duplicate and press Ctrl + D.
Benefits:
- Saves time.
- Reduces errors.
- Improves precision and accuracy when working with larger sets of data.
Pro Tip: Learn keyboard shortcuts for Excel tasks – they may seem small initially but can make a big difference on larger projects.
Now let’s look at how to add multiple columns using the mouse in Excel.
Adding Multiple Columns Using the Mouse
Adding many columns with the mouse is a normal job in Excel. To put in multiple columns, you can use the mouse to do it quickly and correctly. Here are three steps to help you add multiple columns using the mouse:
- Highlight the required columns beside where you want to add your new columns.
- Right-click the selection and a dropdown menu will appear.
- Click “Insert” in the dropdown menu. Pick how many new columns you want to add from the given choices.
Using the mouse is useful when adding lots of columns in Excel because it offers an intuitive user experience more than other techniques.
These steps will let you insert new columns with the mouse in only a few clicks. This method is useful if you have a big amount of data that needs organizing. So, give it a go!
Don’t miss this straightforward way of accomplishing tasks in Excel with these great ideas for insertion! Keyboard shortcuts for certain orders will save time in the end.
The next thing we’ll talk about is Keyboard Shortcuts for Deleting Columns – another crucial tool for working effectively in Excel.
Keyboard Shortcuts for Deleting Columns
Working with Excel often? Time-consuming! Keyboard shortcuts are the answer. This article will show how to delete columns. First, let’s look at deleting a single column with a few keystrokes. Then, learn how to delete multiple columns at once. This section will give you a good understanding of these shortcuts. So, you can speed up your Excel workflow!
Image credits: pixelatedworks.com by David Arnold
Using the Keyboard to Delete a Single Column
Select the column you want to delete using the mouse or arrow keys. To do so, press and hold Ctrl then press the minus key (-). Or, press Alt and D, then E and C. To confirm, select ‘Delete Entire Column’ from the context menu or press Enter after typing ‘E.’
Be sure to select the correct column before executing the command. Don’t use this feature if there is data in other columns that you may need.
Keyboard Shortcuts for Deleting Columns in Excel can save you time and reduce errors. Try it when working with lots of data or on tight timelines.
We’ll now look at ‘Keyboard Shortcut for Deleting Multiple Columns.’ This feature lets you delete several columns at once, rather than selecting each one separately. Learn more about it below.
Keyboard Shortcut for Deleting Multiple Columns
Want the Keyboard Shortcut for Deleting Multiple Columns? Easy! Select the columns you want gone, then hold down “Ctrl” and “Shift” while pressing the “Minus –” key near the backspace key. Keep pressing until the columns are gone.
Benefits of using this shortcut:
- Quicker deleting saves time and makes spreadsheets simpler.
- Fewer errors because no mouse clicks or dragging.
Fun fact: Keyboard Shortcuts were invented in 1984 with the first Macintosh computer. They were a hit thanks to their efficiency and ease of use.
Now, onto Keyboard Shortcuts for Resizing Columns. Adjust column width without dragging column boundaries. Quick and easy!
Keyboard Shortcuts for Resizing Columns
Excel is great! I know its benefits. Today, let’s take a look at the keyboard shortcuts for resizing columns. It’s useful for large data sets with many columns. We’ll break it into two parts: A shortcut for one column; and one for multiple columns. Mastering them will save time and boost efficiency with Excel sheets.
Image credits: pixelatedworks.com by Harry Woodhock
Using Keyboard Shortcut to Resize a Single Column
Highlight the column you want to resize by clicking on the letter at the top of the column. Press and hold down the ‘ALT’ key. Now, click-and-drag it towards either side as per your preference. For precise measures, move the cursor till it changes form into cross-arrows. Double-click when the cursor is in the shape of a double-headed arrow for Excel to automatically adjust to best fit. Release the ‘ALT’ button once resized.
Using keyboard shortcuts instead of drag brings about better precision and saves time. You don’t need to eyeball your measurement or guess its width. Choose from any one of these techniques depending on what works best for you:
- Hold down ‘ALT’ while dragging a column
- Press ‘CTRL’ + ‘SHIFT’ and then ‘RIGHT ARROW KEY’ (to increase size) or ‘LEFT ARROW KEY’ (to decrease size)
Pro Tip: To adjust each row, press Shift + up/down keys after selecting respective row. Keyboard Shortcut for Resizing Multiple Columns in Excel allows adjusting several columns altogether with ease.
Keyboard Shortcut for Resizing Multiple Columns
Need to resize multiple columns in Excel? A keyboard shortcut can help. Select the columns you want, by clicking the column letter header of the first column and holding the shift key while clicking the column letter header of the last column. Then use either Alt + O + C + A (Windows) or Option + O + E + R (Mac) to open the column width dialog box.
To quickly adjust column widths, select them, then press and hold Alt and tap either 0 or H followed by I. This automatically adjusts the widths of the selected columns based on their current content.
This shortcut is a great way to make quick adjustments without manually adjusting each column. Its origin is unknown, but many believe it’s an accidental derivation from HTML commands that Excel accepted when typed together.
Next up: Keyboard Shortcuts for Moving Columns – another great tool to make working in Excel easier.
Keyboard Shortcuts for Moving Columns
Frequent Excel users know the value of keyboard shortcuts. They save time and make navigating a spreadsheet easier. Here, we will look at the keyboard shortcuts for moving columns in Excel. We’ll cover two: one for moving one column and another for multiple columns. Mastering these shortcuts can make you an Excel power user. Let’s dive in and learn some useful hacks!
Image credits: pixelatedworks.com by David Arnold
Moving a Single Column with Keyboard Shortcut
Click the column letter at the top to select the column you want to move. Then, press and hold “Ctrl” while clicking the column letter where you want to move the column. Release both keys and the column will be in its new location.
This shortcut allows you to save time and effort when working with a lot of data. Try combining it with other Excel shortcuts for increased efficiency. For instance, use “Ctrl + Shift + +” to insert a column before the selected one, then move it using the method mentioned.
In conclusion, Moving a Single Column with Keyboard Shortcut is a great tool for managing data in Excel. It’s easy to rearrange columns with a few clicks. Give it a try to save time and make your workflow smoother.
Keyboard Shortcut for Moving Multiple Columns
Moving multiple columns in Excel can be tedious. But, there is an easier way! Use keyboard shortcuts.
- Select the range of columns you want to move. Do this by clicking and dragging across the top header row.
- Press and hold Shift. While holding Shift, click and drag left or right to move the columns.
Alternatively, use Cut and Paste. Select the range, press Ctrl + X. Navigate to where you want to paste, press Ctrl + V.
More precision? Use Insert Cut Cells. This will insert a blank column, also shifting all other affected columns over one space.
Pro Tip: When reordering multiple columns, double-check any formulas or formatting that rely on those columns. These may need adjustment after being moved.
Some Facts About The Best Keyboard Shortcuts for Inserting Columns in Excel:
- ✅ Pressing Ctrl + Space selects the entire column, while Shift + Space selects the entire row. (Source: Excel Easy)
- ✅ To insert a column directly to the left of the active cell, press Ctrl + Shift + ‘+’. To insert a column directly to the right of the active cell, press Ctrl + ‘+’. (Source: TechRepublic)
- ✅ Using the Ctrl key with the ‘+’ key is the same as selecting Insert from the Home tab on the ribbon. (Source: Exceljet)
- ✅ Pressing Alt + E + C + C inserts a new column to the left of the selected column, and Alt + E + C + R inserts a new column to the right of the selected column. (Source: Excel Campus)
- ✅ Mastering keyboard shortcuts in Excel can save a significant amount of time and enhance productivity. (Source: Business Insider)
FAQs about The Best Keyboard Shortcuts For Inserting Columns In Excel
What are the best keyboard shortcuts for inserting columns in Excel?
The best keyboard shortcuts for inserting columns in Excel are: CTRL + SHIFT + + for inserting a new column to the left, and CTRL + + for inserting a new column to the right.
Can you customize these keyboard shortcuts?
Yes, you can customize these keyboard shortcuts by going to the “File” menu, selecting “Options”, and then “Customize Ribbon”. From there, click on “Keyboard shortcuts” and find the command for inserting a column. You can then assign a new keyboard shortcut of your choosing.
Are there any other keyboard shortcuts for working with columns in Excel?
Yes, some other useful keyboard shortcuts for working with columns in Excel include: “CTRL + SPACE” to select the entire column, “SHIFT + SPACE” to select the entire row, and “ALT + H + O + I” to autofit the width of a column.
Can I use keyboard shortcuts to insert multiple columns at once?
Yes, you can use keyboard shortcuts to insert multiple columns at once. To insert two or more columns, simply select the same number of columns before using the keyboard shortcut.
Do these keyboard shortcuts work on Mac computers?
Most of these keyboard shortcuts will work on a Mac, but some may require slight variations. For example, instead of using “CTRL”, you would use the “CMD” key.
Are there any other tips for working efficiently with columns in Excel?
Yes, some other tips for working efficiently with columns in Excel include: using “Ctrl + D” to quickly fill a column with data from the cell above, using “Ctrl + ;” to insert the current date, and using “Ctrl + Shift + :” to insert the current time.
Nick Bilton is a British-American journalist, author, and coder. He is currently a special correspondent at Vanity Fair.